Life-changing support for Liz
Liz came to Arun Counselling Centre after being referred through a weight management service. At the time, she was caring full-time for her husband and did not realise the the impact this was having on her own wellbeing. We spoke to her about the effect coming to counselling at ACC has had on her life.
What was life like before you came to counselling?
“Very, very stressful. I’m a full-time carer for my husband, and I didn’t realise how much it was affecting me.
I’d been referred through a weight management service, but they recognised I wasn’t in the right place to focus on myself because there were other issues going on underneath. I was quite shocked when they suggested counselling. I hadn’t realised how bad things had become.”
How did you feel about coming to Arun Counselling Centre for the first time?
“I was nervous at first, but as soon as I arrived, it felt calm and welcoming. The reception team were lovely, and the environment immediately put me at ease.
After my initial assessment, I realised - actually, I do need to talk about things. That was a turning point.”
How did the service support you?
“The support was incredible, especially the help with funding. I had to give up work to care for my husband, so I wouldn’t have been able to access counselling otherwise. When you’re a carer, you’re ‘on’ 24/7. You forget your own needs completely. I didn’t even realise I needed support, but I really did.”
What changed for you during counselling?
“Talking through my experiences helped me realise how much of what I was feeling linked back to earlier trauma in my childhood. I’d been living on autopilot, just getting through each day. Now, I’ve learned how to check in with myself and actually look after my own wellbeing, which I wasn’t able to do before.”
What differences have you noticed since finishing counselling?
“I now use visualisation techniques to help me stay present and manage how I’m feeling. One that’s really stayed with me is something from my childhood - my grandma’s pressure cooker. I think about how the pressure builds up inside, but there’s a small gap where steam is released bit by bit. That’s what counselling has helped me do; release things gradually, rather than letting everything build up to breaking point. It’s made a huge difference. I can pause, reflect, and cope in a way I never could before.”
What would you say to someone who is unsure about starting counselling?
“Don’t be frightened. It’s a very safe and calm environment. You don’t have to open up straight away - it’s a gradual process. Over time, things will start to make sense, and you’ll have support to work through them.”
What difference does funding make to services like this?
“Life-changing. Absolutely life-changing. In my situation, as a carer, it has been remarkable. You don’t choose to become a carer- it just happens, and anyone can find themselves in that position. Counselling helped me process grief, loss, and everything that comes with those experiences. It’s helped me make sense of things that I hadn’t been able to before.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your counsellor?
“Sarah has been wonderful. It felt like talking to a friend in a safe space, but with the reassurance that she had support and supervision behind her if needed. She didn’t tell me what to do - we explored things together, and I was able to work things out for myself. She’s a remarkable person.”